Previously I have written a number of articles about diet and cancer prevention and often mentioned the World Cancer Research Fund, a charity dedicated to the prevention of cancer through diet and lifestyle. Today I wanted to look at a recently published piece of evidence(1) which suggests that some natural food compounds may actually be able to work in conjunction with conventional drugs and play a role in treating cancer in the future.
The laboratory based research took place in the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University and the results were published in the International Journal of Cancer(1). The natural compound being tested was a substance called chlorophyllin. Chlorophyllin is a derivative of chlorophyll, a green pigment found in most plants and algae, which has already been found to exhibit cancer preventative properties. Data suggests that chlorophyllin can be ingested at relatively high levels without causing toxicity to the body (2)
Excitingly the scientists found that chlorophillin was much more potent at causing the death of colon cancer cells than a drug called hydroxyurea, which is commonly used in cancer treatment. It seems that the chlorophyllin kills cancer cells by blocking the same phase of cell division as the hydroxyurea but via a completely different mechanism. This is quite important since it means that there would be a possibility of developing a way that natural products could be used in conjunction with conventional drugs to provide an overall better synergistic ‘cocktail’ or it might be that when a natural product is combined with a conventional drug less potent/toxic dosages of the drug could be administered to patients.
The researchers conclude their findings by saying “Chlorophyllin has the potential to be effective in the clinical setting, when used alone or in combination with currently available cancer therapeutic agents” (1)
Rod Dashwood, professor and director of the Cancer Chemoprotection Program in the Linus Pauling Institute said in a press release (2): “Most chemotherapeutic approaches to cancer try to target cancer cells specifically and do something that slows or stops their cell growth process,” “We’re now identifying such mechanisms of action for natural compounds, including dietary agents. With further research we may be able to make the two approaches work together to enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies.”
Further research is needed both in laboratory and animal studies, with combinations of chlorophyllin and existing cancer drugs, before it would be appropriate for human trials to be considered. The press release goes on to describe other work published by the Linus Pauling Institute which shows that other dietary agents, such as selenium compounds, might also have similar cancer treatment properties. Rob Dashwood states “There’s significant promise in the use of natural products for combined cancer therapies,” “These are areas that merit continued research.” (2)
It will be interesting to watch the development of this kind of research over the next few years to see whether combinations of natural agents and conventional drugs will begin to be used in cancer treatment. A merging of the medical and nutritional disciplines is something that, I believe, could lead to great advances in disease prevention and treatment.
(1)Chimploy K et al. 2009. E2F4 and ribonucleotide reductase mediate S-phase arrest in colon cancer cells treated with chlorophyllin. International Journal of Cancer. 125:2086-2094
(2)Oregon State University. Press Release. Natural compounds, chemotherapeutic drugs may become partners in cancer therapy http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2009/aug/natural-compounds-chemotherapeutic-drugs-may-become-partners-cancer-therapy
Written by Ani Kowal
Related posts:
- Green tea may be linked to reduced stomach cancer risk in women
- Humble herb appears to handle depression as effectively as conventional anti-depressant treatment
- Could artichoke leaf extract be considered as an alternative treatment to statins?
- Natural remedies for the treatment and prevention of vaginal thrush infection
- Leading an active lifestyle may help to prevent cancer
